The Sustainable Development Fee — what it costs and what it funds

SDF rates in 2026

• International adults: USD 100 per person per night (reduced rate, valid until 31 August 2027).
• International children aged 6–12: USD 50 per night.
• Children under 6: exempt.
• Indian nationals: ₹1,200 per adult per night; children aged 6–12 pay ₹600; under-6s are exempt.
• Bangladeshi nationals: USD 15 per person per night.

SDF for Indian tourists: ₹1,200 per night

Indian nationals pay a much lower SDF than other international visitors: ₹1,200 per adult per night, paid in Indian rupees. Children aged 6–12 pay ₹600 per night and children under 6 pay nothing. Indian travellers also need no visa and pay no visa fee, so the SDF is the only government fee on the trip.

For example, a family of two adults and one 8-year-old staying 5 nights pays (2 × ₹1,200 + ₹600) × 5 = ₹15,000 in SDF. When you book with Planet Air Adventure, we include it in your quote and pay it on your behalf.

What the SDF pays for

The SDF is how Bhutan funds its 'high value, low volume' approach to tourism. The money goes to the government, not to your tour operator, and supports free healthcare and education for Bhutanese citizens, forest conservation, carbon-neutral development and the upkeep of the country's heritage.

It also keeps visitor numbers sustainable. Fewer, longer, better-planned visits mean quieter monasteries, cleaner trails and a tourism economy that benefits local communities.

How the SDF is paid

The SDF is paid in advance, together with your visa application, for each night you will spend in Bhutan. When you travel with a licensed tour operator such as Planet Air Adventure, it is included in your quote and paid on your behalf.

It is charged per night, not per day, so a seven-night trip carries seven nights of SDF. If your trip is cancelled before arrival, the SDF can generally be refunded under the rules in force at the time; ask us for the current conditions before you book.

Is the SDF the same as the visa fee?

No. The visa fee is a separate one-time charge of USD 40 per person for international visitors. Indian nationals don't need a visa and pay no visa fee, but they do pay the ₹1,200 SDF.

Example: a 7-night trip for two adults

For two international adults staying seven nights, the SDF is 2 × 7 × USD 100 = USD 1,400, plus USD 80 in visa fees. For two Indian adults it is 2 × 7 × ₹1,200 = ₹16,800, with no visa fee. Hotels, guide, transport and meals are priced separately and included in our packages.